JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program
Highlights
This program is designed for your business to gain valuable experience and skills through hosting Indigenous post-secondary graduates. By participating, you will not only contribute to the professional growth of these graduates but also benefit from their fresh perspectives and knowledge.
Why Apply?
- Access to skilled graduates: Gain talented individuals who are eager to apply their education in a real-world setting.
- Support for your business: Enhance your workforce with motivated interns who can bring new ideas and energy.
- Government-backed initiative: This program is supported by federal and provincial governments, ensuring reliability and credibility.
Benefits for Your Business
- On-the-job training: Interns will develop skills tailored to your business needs.
- Potential for long-term employment: Successful internships can lead to full-time hires, reducing recruitment costs.
- Easy application process: Submit a letter of interest, an orientation plan, and a work plan to get started.
Participating in this program is a straightforward way to invest in the future of your business while supporting Indigenous graduates.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- Salaries and wages for new hires.
- Training and development programs.
- Equipment and technology purchases.
- Marketing and promotional activities.
- Operational costs directly related to the project.
Use of Funds:
- Funds cannot be used for existing debt repayment.
- Funds cannot be used for personal expenses.
- Funds cannot be used for activities outside the scope of the approved project.
Fees:
- No application fees.
- No administrative fees.
Qualifications
- Must be a Provincial or Federal government department or agency.
- Must be a Crown Corporation.
- Must be a Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC).
- Must be a not-for-profit organization.
- Must be an Indigenous community or organization.
Must be one of JEDI's industry partners.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses that do not fall into any of the above categories.
Description
This program offers your business a great chance to grow. You can get up to $1,000,000 to help with various needs. You can use up to $500,000 to buy equipment or improve your rented space. This includes things like commercial kitchen appliances, manufacturing machinery, computers, and IT infrastructure, or even renovating a retail space.
For other costs like software or working capital, you can receive up to $150,000. This helps keep your business running smoothly.
The federal government backs 85% of the loan, giving you a strong safety net. You have flexible options to pay back the loan, with choices between variable and fixed interest rates. You can even combine your loan amount and interest into one payment. You have up to 15 years to repay the loan, no matter what you spend it on. This program is designed to support your business's growth and stability.
Program Steps
Prepare Required Documentation:
- A letter describing your organization’s interest in hosting an intern.
- An orientation plan for the intern.
- A work plan, including anticipated knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
Identify a Potential Indigenous Post-Secondary Graduate:
- If you have identified a potential intern, include their name and resume in your application.
Submit Employer Application:
- Send your application, including the required documentation and potential intern details, to JEDI’s Provincial Indigenous Employment Coordinator, Nisa Kennedy, at [email protected].
Potential Interns Submit Their Application:
- Potential interns should submit an up-to-date resume detailing their skills and work experience.
- Include a cover letter explaining their interest in the program.
- If not part of an employer application, include a list of potential employers.
Await Application Review:
- Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Note that not all applications will be approved due to limited funds.
Receive Approval and Begin Internship:
- Once approved, coordinate with JEDI to finalize the internship details and start the internship program.
Participate in Program Oversight:
- Engage with the IIP Working Group and JEDI, who will monitor the progress of the internship and provide recommendations.